Oxidative DNA damage in human esophageal cancer: clinicopathological analysis of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and its repair enzyme

Both internal and external oxidative stresses act on DNA and can induce carcinogenesis. 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is an indicator of oxidative stress and it leads to transversion mutations and carcinogenesis. 8-OHdG is excision-repaired by 8-OHdG DNA glycosylase (OGG1). The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of oxidative DNA damage and repair enzymes on esophageal carcinogenesis. The levels of 8-OHdG and OGG1 were immunohistochemically evaluated in resected specimens, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 97 patients with esophageal cancer. Higher levels of 8-OHdG in normal esophageal epithelium were associated with a higher smoking index (P = 0.0464). The 8-OHdG level was higher in cancerous areas than in normal epithelia (P = 0.0061), whereas OGG1 expression was weaker in cancerous areas than in normal epithelia (P < 0.0001). An increase of OGG1 expression in normal epithelium was observed as 8-OHdG levels increased (P = 0.0011). However, this correlation was not observed in cancerous areas. High OGG1 expression in the cytoplasm was related to deeper tumors (P = 0.0023), node metastasis (P = 0.0065) and stage (P = 0.0019). Oxidative DNA damage, which is attributable to smoking as well as disturbances in DNA repair systems, appears to be closely related to esophageal carcinogenesis and its progression.

Evaluating the association between histological manifestations of cord colitis syndrome with GVHD

Cord colitis syndrome (CCS) is a recently proposed clinical entity characterized by a persistent diarrheal illness after cord blood transplantation (CBT), which is not caused by GVHD or CMV colitis. CCS is histologically characterized by chronic active colitis with granulomatous inflammation and Paneth cell metaplasia suggesting chronicity. However, the specificity of these pathological features to CCS remains to be validated. We conducted a retrospective study of 49 patients who had diarrhea and underwent diagnostic colonoscopy with biopsy following allogeneic hematopoietic SCT. None of the patients met the clinical criteria for CCS. Chronic active colitis with granulomatous inflammation and Paneth cell metaplasia was present in 12/33 (36%) patients with biopsy-proven GVHD, 4/6 (67%) patients with CMV colitis and 2/15 (13%) patients with nonspecific colitis. In patients with GVHD and/or CMV colitis, these pathological features were present in 4/8 (50%) patients after CBT and in 11/26 (42%) patients undergoing BMT or PBSCT. These results demonstrate that chronic active colitis with granuloma and Paneth cell metaplasia is not only a specific feature of CCS but also is present in GVHD and CMV colitis, irrespective of stem cell source.

Potential of polar lipids from bovine milk to regulate the rodent dorsal hair cycle

Among the lipids in bovine milk, minor components such as conjugated linoleic acids and phospholipids are more attractive than triacylglycerols from the standpoint of biological activity. To explore novel functions of bovine milk polar lipids (MPL), topical application to murine dorsal skin was introduced as an assay system. The acetone-insoluble lipid fraction derived from bovine milk was dispersed in ethanol and applied to 9-wk-old C57BL/6N female mice for 3 wk. In combination with visual assessment of the dorsal pigmentation, the progression of the hair cycle was estimated by calculating the ratio of subcutis to dermis thickness. The administration of MPL led to earlier progression of the hair cycle compared with administration of the vehicle. In some cases, the extent of MPL-induced hair cycle progression was comparable to that in animals treated with minoxidil, the most well-known reagent that initiates anagen. These results indicate that the MPL preparation contains a dermal penetrative component that can regulate the hair cycle and, thus, this preparation possesses potential for cosmetic use.

[Staged carotid artery stent and cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass]

The presence of carotid disease in patients undergoing cardiac surgery has been known to increase the risk of peri-operative strokes. However, there are some controversies surrounding carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with carotid disease. We experienced 5 cases of staged carotid artery stent and cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. These cases represent 1.7% of the cardiac surgery between August 2006 and June 2009 at our hospital. There were 4 male and 1 female patient whose ages range from 58 to 81 years old (mean 73.0). Two cases were symptomatic and revealed carotid artery stenosis of 50% or more. The remaining 3 asymptomatic cases had 75% or more stenosis. Wallstent RP stents were used in 3 of the cases, and PRECISE stents in the remaining 2. The mean time of carotid angioplasty and stenting was 101 ± 22 minutes. Among the 5 cases, we experienced 2 periprocedural events. One developed bradycardia and cardiac arrest due to severe aortic valve stenosis, which was promptly improved by temporary cardiac pacing. The other experienced transient hemiparesis. The mean period of time between CAS and cardiac surgery was 53 days, with a range of 23 to 78 days. There were no post-operative deaths or strokes. All 5 cardiac operations were performed successfully. Further cooperation among cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and neurosurgeons is suggested for more careful circulatory assessment during CAS in patients with severe cardiac disease.

The lingual lymph node identified as a sentinel node on CT lymphography in a patient with cN0 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

We performed CT lymphography on an 81-year-old female patient with a histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue with no clinical or radiological evidence of cervical lymph node involvement. The lateral lingual lymph node was identified as a sentinel node, which is the first lymph node to receive drainage from a primary tumour. CT lymphography also showed draining lymphatics passing through the sublingual space, the medial side of the submandibular gland and near the hyoid bone and connected with the middle internal jugular node. Although metastasis to the lateral lingual lymph node is known as one of the crucial events in determining survival outcome in cancer of the tongue and floor of the mouth, very few reports are available on the imaging of the lateral lingual lymph node metastasis. This is the first report regarding the lateral lingual lymph node identified as a sentinel node demonstrated on CT lymphography.

High power millimeter wave experiment of ITER relevant electron cyclotron heating and current drive system

High power, long pulse millimeter (mm) wave experiments of the RF test stand (RFTS) of Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) were performed. The system consists of a 1 MW/170 GHz gyrotron, a long and short distance transmission line (TL), and an equatorial launcher (EL) mock-up. The RFTS has an ITER-relevant configuration, i.e., consisted by a 1 MW-170 GHz gyrotron, a mm wave TL, and an EL mock-up. The TL is composed of a matching optics unit, evacuated circular corrugated waveguides, 6-miter bends, an in-line waveguide switch, and an isolation valve. The EL-mock-up is fabricated according to the current design of the ITER launcher. The Gaussian-like beam radiation with the steering capability of 20°-40° from the EL mock-up was also successfully proved. The high power, long pulse power transmission test was conducted with the metallic load replaced by the EL mock-up, and the transmission of 1 MW/800 s and 0.5 MW/1000 s was successfully demonstrated with no arcing and no damages. The transmission efficiency of the TL was 96%. The results prove the feasibility of the ITER electron cyclotron heating and current drive system.

Stromal expression of cathepsin K in squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cathepsin K (CTSK), a cysteine protease with strong collagenolytic and elastolytic properties involved in extracellular matrix turnover, may be produced by neoplastic cells as well as stromal macrophages and fibroblasts. Its expression is suggested as associated with increased invasive and metastatic potential.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to examine stromal expression of cathepsin K in skin tumors.

METHODS

A series of 13 normal skin and 109 skin tumours, including 51 benign and 58 malignant epidermal tumours were tested for CTSK and Ki-67 expression by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Stromal CTSK expression and the tumoral Ki-67 labelling index were significantly higher in invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) than in other epidermal tumours.

CONCLUSION

Cathepsin K-positive stromal fibroblasts may play a crucial role in SCC progression by promoting extracellular matrix degradation, thereby facilitating SCC growth and invasion into surrounding tissue and vasculature. CTSK inhibitors may be a potential novel therapeutic option to decrease SCC progression.

Differential regulation of epidermal function by VDR coactivators

The transcriptional activity of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is regulated by a number of coactivator and corepressor complexes, which bind to the VDR in a ligand (1,25(OH)2D3) dependent (coactivators) or inhibited (corepressors) process. In the keratinocyte the major coactivator complexes include the vitamin D interacting protein (DRIP) complex and the steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) complexes. These coactivator complexes are not interchangeable in their regulation of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. We found that the DRIP complex is the main complex binding to VDR in the proliferating keratinocyte, whereas SRC2 and 3 and their associated proteins are the major coactivators binding to VDR in the differentiated keratinocyte. Moreover, we have found a specific role for DRIP205 in the regulation of beta-catenin pathways regulating keratinocyte proliferation, whereas SRC3 uniquely regulates the ability of 1,25(OH)2D3 to induce more differentiated functions such as lipid synthesis and processing required for permeability barrier formation and the innate immune response triggered by disruption of the barrier. These findings provide a basis by which we can understand how one receptor (VDR) and one ligand (1,25(OH)2D3) can regulate a large number of genes in a sequential and differentiation specific fashion.

Human heterochromatin protein 1 isoform HP1beta enhances androgen receptor activity and is implicated in prostate cancer growth

There are currently few successful therapies for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). CRPC is thought to result from augmented activation of the androgen/androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway, which could be enhanced by AR cofactors. In this study, heterochromatin protein 1beta (HP1beta), but not HP1alpha or HP1gamma was found to be an AR cofactor. HP1beta interacted with the AR, and enhanced the DNA-binding ability of AR to androgen-responsive element in the prostate-specific antigen enhancer and promoter regions, and to increase the transcription of AR target genes. In prostate cancer (PCa) tissues, HP1beta expressions correlated with Gleason score and tri-methylation levels of histone H3 lysine 9. Silencing of HP1beta suppressed the growth of AR-expressing PCa cells by inducing cell-cycle arrest at the G(1) phase, similar to inhibition of androgen/AR signaling. Furthermore, HP1beta was overexpressed in castration-resistant LNCaP derivative CxR cells, and HP1beta knockdown also suppressed the cell growth in CxR cells. These findings indicate that HP1beta is involved in the proliferation of AR-expressing PCa cells and progression to CRPC as an AR coactivator. Modulation of HP1beta expression or function might be a useful strategy for developing novel therapeutics for PCa, even in CRPC.

Point-contact spectroscopy of the heavy-fermion superconductor CePt(3)Si

Differential resistance spectra (dV/dI-V characteristics) have been measured for point contacts between the heavy-fermion superconductor (HFS) CePt(3)Si and a normal metal. Some contacts show a peak at V = 0 that is characteristic of HFS coexisting with a magnetic order such as UPd(2)Al(3), UNi(2)Al(3) and URu(2)Si(2). The evolution of the peak occurs well above the antiferromagnetic transition temperature T(N)∼2.2 K, so that the direct relationship with the magnetic transition is questionable. The half-width of the peak seems to reflect the crystal field splitting or the spin-wave gap as observed for the above-mentioned HFSs, possibly suggesting that some common scattering process induces the zero-bias peaks in these materials.

Dose-response studies on the induction of liver cytochromes P4501A1 and 1B1 by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in arylhydrocarbon-responsive C57BL/6J mice

1. To determine the biological effects of 23 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl, the dose-response studies of the induction of CYP1-dependent xenobiotic oxidation activities by these chemicals in liver microsomes of C57BL/6J mice were studied. 2. In arylhydrocarbon-responsive C57BL/6J mice, the liver microsomal xenobiotic oxidation with substrates of 7-ethoxyresorufin, 7-ethoxycoumarin, (+/-)-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol, dibenzo[a, pyrene-11,12-diol and 2-amino-3,5-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline increased by increasing the doses of PAHs to mice, particularly when the PAHs that have been reported to be carcinogenic in experimental animals were used. In arylhydrocarbon receptor-knockout mice, there were no increases in liver microsomal 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation activities nor in liver mRNA levels of CYP1A1, 1A2 and 1B1 by these chemicals. 3. Of the chemicals examined, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[j]-fluoranthene, 3-methylcholanthrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, dibenz[a,c]anthracene and 3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl were potent inducers of the induction of liver microsomal 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation in mice. 4. Other PAHs such as 5-methylchrysene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, dibenz[a,j]acridine, benzo[a]anthracene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene moderately induced 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation activities in mice. PAHs reported to be weak or less carcinogenic in experimental animals did not induce the xenobiotic oxidation activities of CYP1A1 and 1B1 in the mice. 5. The results suggest that induction of liver microsomal CYP1-dependent xenobiotic oxidation activities is a good tool in determining the potencies of carcinogenic PAHs in arylhydrocarbon-responsive C57BL/6J mice.

Selection of lactic yeast producing glucosylceramide from cheese whey

From 2150 isolates from raw milk and milk products, yeast strains were surveyed to produce glucosylceramide from cheese whey. Most of the 54 strains that had accumulated a detectable amount of glucosylceramide were identified as Kluyveromyces lactis var. lactis. The cells of K. lactis var. lactis strain M-11 derived from domestic raw milk accumulated glucosylceramide 2.5-fold higher than K. lactis var. lactis NBRC 1267, the reference strain selected from the culture collections. Strain M-16 of K. lactis var. lactis derived from the same origin was found to synthesize a considerable amount of steryl glucoside in addition to glucosylceramide. Sequence analysis of ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer two regions revealed that strains M-11 and M-16 were diverged from a type strain of K. lactis var. lactis in the same species.

Changes in mechanical properties of poly-l-lactic acid mini-plate under functional load simulating sagittal splitting ramus osteotomy

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the characteristics of a poly-l-lactic acid mini-plate changed with dynamic loading in an environment with hydrolytic degradation. A mandible osteosynthesis model was prepared with specimen poly-l-lactic acid mini-plates to simulate sagittal splitting ramus osteotomy. The model was then subjected to dynamic loading, and changes in specimen shape and surface quality were observed. Specimen bending strength was then measured, and degree of hydrolytic degradation estimated. Neither dynamic loading nor degree of load clearly affected degree of hydrolytic degradation. The specimens maintained their original shape and bending strength for up to 4 weeks with dynamic loading of 40 N or less in an environment with hydrolytic degradation. At 8 weeks, under the same conditions, the specimens showed cracks or fractures, or both, together with a clear decrease in bending strength. The results suggest that dynamic loading causes cracking in a poly-l-lactic acid mini-plate, and that growth of these cracks decreases bending strength over time, leading to fatigue fracture.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: an immunohistochemical analysis of its tumorigenesis

AIMS

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common form of malignant transformation in mature cystic teratoma (MCT) of the ovary. Some investigators have suggested the possibility of origin from columnar epithelium. The aim of this study was to analyse such tumours immunohistochemically to elucidate their histogenesis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The expression of cytokeratin (CK) 10 and CK18 was examined in 21 samples of SCC arising in MCT. The expression of CK10 and CK18 was also assessed in SCCs arising in different organs (skin, vulva, lung and uterine cervix) for the purpose of comparison. SCC in MCT expressed CK10 in 7/21 cases [33.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12-0.53] and CK18 in 14/21 cases (66.7%, 95% CI 0.46-0.87). SCC in MCT expressed CK10 less frequently, but CK18 more frequently, as is the case in SCCs of the uterine cervix (CK10, 20%; CK18, 70%) and the lung (CK10, 5%; CK18, 90%), both of which are derived from columnar epithelium by squamous metaplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

SCC in MCT may be derived from metaplastic squamous epithelium.

A case of an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in the lung which expressed TPM3-ALK gene fusion

We herein describe a 4-year-old boy who after being treated for pneumonia showed an abnormal shadow at the hilus of the right lung on chest X-rays with continued inflammatory findings in his laboratory data. CT and MR investigations suggested the existence of a neoplasm at that site. An open biopsy was thus performed for a definite diagnosis. The histological findings and the expression of TPM3-ALK fusion gene confirmed a diagnosis of an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. A right upper and middle lobectomy including the tumor was thus performed for a complete resection. In addition to the histological diagnosis, the detection of the tumor specific fusion gene provided objective evidence in making a diagnosis.